ONEONTA – Elizabeth B. "Betty" Greene, 88, passed away Thursday, December 26, 2013 at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta. She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas H. Greene who passed away on June 4, 2008.

Betty was born in Oneonta on March 13, 1925, the daughter of Ernest and Iva Barton. She attended local schools and graduated from Draper Central school in Schenevus in 1942. In 1946, she received a Bachelor of Education degree from Oneonta State Teachers College. During college she was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, Arethusa Sorority and the Dramatics Club.

Before getting married she taught in Saugerties and Norwich. After marriage she taught a year in Worcester before temporarily retiring to bring up her three sons.

On August 18, 1948 she married the love of her life Thomas H. Greene. They were married for 59 years.

In 1956 the family moved to Lakeland, FL when Tom became the Athletic Director and basketball coach at Florida Southern College. She resumed teaching in 1963 for ten years in the public school system there before they moved to Williamstown, MA in 1972 for the next five years.

While in Williamstown she substituted in kindergarten through 6th grades in Williamstown, Clarksburg, MA, Pownal, VT and Stamford, VT. She also taught Alternative Education and Art classes.

1977 brought Tom and Betty back to Oneonta as Tom became the Athletic Director at Hartwick College until his retirement. Betty substituted in the Oneonta Elementary schools, BOCES and taught at St. Mary's School.

Throughout her teaching career she was certified in Elementary Education in New York and Florida. She also studied Child and Education Psychology, Learning Disabilities and Behavior Modification.

Betty was an active member in the Methodist Church most of her life where ever she lived. Her interest included arts and crafts, antiquing and reading. In her spare time she wrote children stories as a hobby. In her retirement years she loved going to the local auctions to buy and sell antiques.

She is survived by her sons, Daniel G. Greene of Newburyport, MA and William P. Greene of Otego; a brother, Robert Barton of Schenevus; grandchildren, Keean, Connor and Patrick; great-grandchildren, Breanna and Khloe. Her oldest son, Thomas K. Greene predeceased her.

A Memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, January 18, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Oneonta; with a time for fellowship and refreshments following the service.

Donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church or the Chestnut Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Home, Activities Fund, 330 Chestnut St., Oneonta, NY 13820.

Thank you to the nursing staff at Chestnut Park for the care they gave to Betty over the past 5 years.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at, www.lhpfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are with the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.